Lifesaving device



Jan. 10, 1950 G. R. BossETTA LIFE SAVING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledMarch 18, 1947 Fig. I.

Inventor Gaspar Robert Bosseffa Attomeys Jan. 10, 1950 G- R. BOSSETTALIFE SAVING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 18, 1947 Fl" .5. I)?26/87 I nvenior Gaspar Robert Bosseffa I/ll/l/ gmm Patented Jan. 10,1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

This invention relates to fire escapes, life saving devices and alarms,generally speaking, and has more particular reference to a combinationaudible alarm and reel and cable type life saving device.

The invention is expressly, but not necessarily, adapted for use inhotels, ofiice buildings and similarly congested places, particularlythose having insu-fficient exits and facilities to permit individuals toflee the scene when trapped by fire or an equivalent disaster.

More specifically the invention appertains to comparatively simple,practical and expedient means which lends itself highly adaptable forready use, in case of fire, in hotel rooms. In carrying out a preferredembodiment of the invention, a structure is employed wherein a suitablellne or cable-equipped reel is supported on the wall or elsewhere in theroom and within the vicinity of a window in a manner to permit anotherwise trapped individual or individuals to swing the cable out ofthe open window and to descend with safety to the ground.

Another object of the invention is to provide a life saving device ofthe type under advisement wherein, in addition to the reel and cable, analarm bell is provided, this being sounded intermittently as the usermakes a get-away and descends to safety. Thus, by providing all hotelrooms with such equipment, the sounding of a plurality of bells fromvarious areas throughout the hotel will give an alert suflicient to warnother occupants of impending danger.

Another object of the invention has to do with a life saving devicewhich is provided with means through the medium of which the operationof the reel and line may be set and controlled to accommodate andconform to weight requirements of different users ranging anywhere fromseventy-five pounds on up' to four or five hundred pounds, asrequirements of the trade dictate.

Another object of the invention contemplates incorporation in thefinished structure of an automatically operable compensator which comesinto play as the cable or line is paid out, thus regulating the speed ofrotation of the reel and unwinding of the line to meet requirements 'ofsafe and reliable descent of the user.

Other objects and advantages will become more readily apparent from thefollowing description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate likeparts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is an elevational view disclosing a combined alarm and lifesaving device constructed in accordance with the principlesof thepresent invention. 1

Figure '2 is a sectional and elevational view taken centrally at rightangles to Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail section on the vertical line 3-3 of Figure 2,looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a similar vertical section on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

,1 designates a base or foundation plate which is appropriately fastenedat 8 to a wall or equivalent support 9. Since the invention is primarilyadapted for use in hotel rooms, the plate will, of course, be mountedsomewhere within the vicinity of a window or other means of escape.Mounted rigidly on the base plate (see Figure 5) is a substantiallycircular casing Ill and secured thereto and extending outwardlytherefrom is a collar H. This is externally screwthreaded at its outerend and a flanged cap is connected thereto, whereby to provide anassembling hub or axle for the freely rotatable reel I3. The reel properIt surrounds the hub and the flange [5 thereof rotatably surrounds thecasing T0. The flange I5 is primarily a brake drum as will behereinafter seen. Likewise, the web jportion iii of the reel has theadditional function of a friction brake drum, this being secondary and.supplemental to the main brake drum [5.

Attention is now directed to Figure 3 (see also Fig. 5) showing acylinder mounted vertically and rigidly in the casing, said cylinderbeing denoted by the numeral l l. The cylinder serves to house aheavy-duty coiled spring IS. The spring, in turn, functions inconjunction with a suitably shaped and constructed brake shoe H] whichis projected thru the wall of the casing for frictional contact with theinner periphery of the brake drum l5. At a specified point, the brakedrum is radially offset, as at 20, to provide a check shoulder 2| forthe brake shoe. Thus,

weight of the particular user.

ally, as at 26, to provide a thrust element or abutment engaging theupper coils of the spring l8. The lower portion of the bar reaches downto a point within the vicinity of the floor, where it is provided with alateral foot piece or" pedal 2'l.-.

The user, by standing on the foot piece 21, thus the cable pays out, itadds additional weight to the load, the cable and individual together,and this has to be compensated for by slowing down the rotation of thereel. It follows, therefore, that the automatic auxiliary or compensatorbrake 3! just described, accomplishes the end sought.

The aural or audible alarm means comprises a simple bell 41 which ismounted on the base plate and which is struck intermittently by arotating or flying clapper or hammer 42. This hammer is pivotallymounted, as at 43, on the brake flange and at each rotation of the drumor reel, the hammer comes into play to strike the bell.

transmits his weight to the spring l8 by wayof" the bar and abutment 26.Consequently, the spring is sufllciently compressed to sustain the Then;the nut '25 is tightened on the stud 24 to hold the bar. Thisarrangement tensions the friction brake shoe sl9 'inisuch a manner'thatit serves to adapt its brak- 1 ing function to meet given requirements.It is obvious that the bar and spring tensioning means will thus be setfor each individual.

The cable or safety line is denoted by the numeral 28 and is normallywound on the-reel or drum [4. Also, in practice, the free end thereofmay be provided with a practical safety belt. or

other accessory or appliance to facilitate handling and convenience ofuse as well as safety during the period of descent. It is believed that,

in practice, a light wire of suificient tensile strength may beemployed, allowing someone thousand feet of cable to be employedtoaccommodate use by individuals from a considerable height in the hotelor other buildings. r

Attention is now directed particularly to Figure 2 in which the numeral29 designates a vertical, externally screw-threaded cylinder to'accom--modate the auxiliary brake spring 30.-1-This cylinder and which servesto compress the spring 30 for tensioning same. A feed nut'33 is threadedexteriorly on the cylinder and rests upon and engages projections on thefollower 32, the feed nut is provided with circumferentially spaced,radial fingers. 34, whereby said nut is automatically rotated and feddownwardly to put the follower under pressure and to progressivelytension the spring and to apply thepressure of the brake shoe 3!accordingly; To accomplish this, a wheel-like rotor is provided, thesame denoted by the numeral 35. This is provided with a stub axle 36rotatable in a suitable bearing 31 in the cap [2. On the inner end ofthe shaft are suitably fashioned blades 38 which intermittently engagethe fingers 34' and thus turn the nut to cause the same to function inprogressively stressing and applying thedrag action of the brake shoe3!. Motion is transmitted to the shaft 36 by way of an actuator arm 39which is connected b apin 40 to the adjacent flange of the reel. Thus,as the reel unwinds and the cable is paid out, the arm 39 rotates therotor and the rotor, in turn, automatically adjusts the nut 33.Inconnection with this phase of the structure, it is to be noted thatwhen the primary brake is set to accommodate a given weight, in themanner previously described, and

In practice, the entire device may be encased or suitably housed in anappropriate outer container, Instructions may be printed thereon tocomply with fire regulations or other requirements. It is believedunnecessary, however, to illustrate such added accessories, since theyare not deemed to be essential parts of the invention.

The invention comprehends, as disclosed, a device mechanically operatedto be placed in hotel rooms so as to provide each guest occupying a rooma safe exit by mechanical means in case of fire, and at the same time toprovide a method for spreading the alarm in case of fire, with the samedevice, when said device is in use, thereby allowing the persondetecting the fire in hotel, ofiice building, or other high building tospread the alarm without subjecting himself or herself .to unnecessarydelay in making his exit, by setting off said alarm by the mereuse ofthe device in using it as a means of escape from said fire trap.

In order to use the device, it is desirable to provide a suitable handle44 on the base plate. Thus .the user, by catching hold of the handle 44,may

then step on the footpiece 21. This will force the spring I8 down andwill put the desired tension on the brake shoe I9 depending on theweight ofthe user. 'Thus,-the brake means is tensioned to function inconfirmation with the weight of the user. The construction will be suchthat some ten pounds or so may constitute a differential between thesetting of the device and the actual weight of the user, this to timeand permit the reel to turn at a relatively slow speed. Then, bycatching hold of the cable or attaching same by a beltor the like, theuser may escape through an open window and descend slowly. During thecourse of descent, the brake shoe l9 checks each revolution of the reelby the shoulder and check means shown in Figure 3. It is obvious,therefore, that although the reel does not come to a stop completely, itis virtually slowed down and hence the operation of the cable is neithertoo rapid nor too jerky. It is obvious, too, that when once the brakeshoe i9 is set by way of the bar 22, the .thumb screw 25 is tightened toestablish and hold the setting. It is further evident that as the reelpermits the cable to unwind, the actuator arm 39 turns the rotor 35which, in turn, operates the nut 33 which presses down on the spring 30and applies the secondary brake shoe 3| against the secondary brake band16. As previously stated, as the cable pays out, it, in conjunction withthe weight of the user, adds to the load Which is impropriately, standson the computing lever, tightens the butterfly screw, puts on belt, andjumps out the window. The reel unwinds, rings the bell and stops when hehas reached the sidewalk. If another person rushes into said room, hecan unscrew the thumb-nut, release the spring, stand on the lever,tighten the spring then fastening a suitable handle (not shown) to theline, and then jump out of the window.

The device may be used as a safety appliance attached to workers onscaffolds, such as window washers, painters, etc. It can be hooked onpoles to protect lives of linemen. It would hold and permit the descentat a safe speed of anyone who had set it as to his weightbeforeattaching the belt connected to it.

In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, it is believed that a clear understanding of thedevice will be quite apparent to those skilled in this art. A moredetailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even though there is herein shownand described a preferred embodiment of the invention, the same issuscep-- tible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit ofthe invention as herein described and within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed as new is:

1. A life saving device of the class described comprising a relativelyfixed foundation including hub means, a reel mounted freely for rotationon said hub means, said reel being adapted to carry a safety cable, saidreel including a friction brake drum, a cylinder, a spring in saidcylinder, a brake shoe cooperable with the spring, said brake shoe beingalso cooperable with the brake drum, and means for adjusting andregulating the tension of the spring to control the action of the brakeshoe, said means including a depending bar provided with a foot pedal,said bar having one end portion engageable with said spring.

2. A safety device of the class described comprising a foundation plate,a casing on said plate, a hub carried by said casing, a cylinder in saidcasing, a spring in said cylinder, a reel mounted on said hub structureand including a brake band surrounding the casing, a brake shoecooperable with said spring and also with said brake drum, a footcontrolled bar slidably mounted on said base plate, the upper end ofsaid bar being laterally bent and engaging one end of said coiledspring, the lower end of said bar being provided with a foot pedal.

3. A safety device of the class described comprising a foundation plate,a casing on said plate, a hub carried by said casing, a cylinder in saidcasing, a spring in said cylinder, a reel mounted on said hub structureand including a brake band surrounding the casing, a brake shoecooperable with said spring and also with said brake drum, a footcontrolled bar slidably mounted on said base plate, the upper end ofsaid bar being laterally bent and engaging one end of said coiledspring, the lower end of said bar being provided with a foot pedal, ascrew-threaded stud on said plate, said bar having a slot through andbeyond which said stud extends, and a clamping nut carried by said studand engageable with said bar' to fasten the bar in a predetermined andestablished position.

4. A safety device of the class described comprising a foundation plate,a casing on said plate, a hub carried by said casing, a cylinder in saidcasing, a spring in said cylinder, a reel mounted on said 'hub structureand including a brake band surrounding the casing, a brake shoecooperable with said spring and also with said brake drum, a footcontrolled bar slidably mounted on said base plate, the upper end ofsaid bar being laterally bent and engaging one end of said coiledspring, the lower end of said bar being provided with a foot pedal, ascrew-threaded stud on said base plate, said bar having a slot throughand beyond which said stud extends, and a clamping nut carried by saidstud and engageable with said bar to fasten the bar in a predeterminedand established position, a screw-threaded cylinder in said hub, acoiled spring in said cylinder, a brake shoe on said spring cooperablewith an adjacent portion of the reel, a follower mounted in saidcylinder and engaging said spring, and a feed nut on said cylindercooperable with said follower.

5. A safety device of the class described comprising a foundation plate,a casing on said plate, a hub carried by said casing, a cylinder in saidcasing, a spring in said cylinder, a reel mounted on said hub structureand including a brake band surrounding the casing, a brake shoecooperable with said spring and also with said brake drum, a footcontrolled bar slidably mounted on said base plate, the upper end ofsaid bar being laterally bent and engaging one end of said coiledspring, the lower end of said bar being provided with a foot pedal, ascrew-threaded stud on said base plate, said bar having a slot throughand beyond which said stud extends, and a clamping nut carried by saidstud and engageable with said bar to fasten the bar in a predeterminedand established position, a screw-threaded cylinder in said hub, acoiled spring in said cylinder, a brake shoe on said spring cooperablewith an adjacent portion of the reel, a follower mounted in saidcylinder and engaging said spring, and a feed nut on said cylindercooperable with said follower, said feed nut being provided withcircumferentially spaced radial fingers, a bladed rotor mounted in saidhub, the blades thereof being progressively and successively cooperablewith said fingers, and an operating connection between said rotor andreel.

6. A safety device of the class described comprising a foundation plate,a casing on said plate, a hub carried by said casing, a cylinder in saidcasing, a spring in said cylinder, a reel mounted on said hub structureand including a brake band surrounding the casing, a brake shoecooperable with said spring and also with said brake drum, a footcontrolled bar slidably mounted on said base plate, the upper end ofsaid bar slidably mounted on said base plate, the upper end of said barbeing laterally bent and engaging one end of said coiled spring, thelower end of said bar being provided with a foot pedal, a screwthreadedstud on said base plate, said bar having a slot through and beyond whichsaid stud extends, and a clamping nut carried by said stud andengageable with said bar to fasten the bar in a predetermined andestablished position, a screw-threaded cylinder in said hub, a coiledspring in said cylinder, a brake shoe on said spring cooperable with anadjacent portion of the reel, a follower mounted in said cylinder andengaging said spring, and a feed nut on said cylinder cooperable withsaid follower, said feed nut being provided with circumferentiallyspaced radial fingers, a bladed rotor mounted in said hub, the bladesthereof being progressively and successively cooperable with saidfingers, and an operating connection between said rotor and reelincluding an arm connected to the'rotor'at one end and connected, at itsopposite end, to said reel.

7. In a safety device of the class described, a

base'plate, a hub structure on said base plate, a reel mounted on saidhub structure and including a brake drum, said brake drum being providedat a predetermined point with a radial ofiset defining a check shoulder,and an adjustable brake shoe mounted in said hub structure engageablewith said brake band and said shoulder in the manner and for thepurposes described.

8. A life saving device of the class described comprising a relativelyfixed foundation including hub means, a reel mounted for rotation oncomprising a relatively fixed foundation including hub means, a reelmounted for rotation on said hub means, a safety lowering cable wound onsaid reel, said reel including a brake drum surrounding said hub means,a brake shoe in wiping contact with said brake drum, a coiled springengaging the brake shoe, means for operatively supporting the spring insaid hub means, a relatively fixed stud provided with a clamping nut, abar having a slotted portion operable on the stud and held in adjustedpositions by said clamping nut, said bar being connected at its upperend to said spring and being provided at its lower end with means forconveniently regulating the compressional forces of said spring.

GASPAR ROBERT BOSSETTA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent;

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 383,432 Bernstein et al May 29,1888 643,286 Feiker Feb. 13, 1900 831,462 Noyer Sept. 18, 1906 991,768Busat May 9, 1911

